Moving from an Acceptable Use Policy to a Responsible Use Policy

Over the last year the Moultonborough School District's Technology Department has revised our Acceptable Use Policy and transformed it in a Responsible Use Policy. Our Acceptable Use Policy was focused on the school desktops in the computer lab and the portable laptops available in carts in both schools, and discussed what students should not do with technology. By implementing a revised document called the Responsible Use Policy, we reframed what could and could not be done with technology to focus on the responsibilities of the user, and we included our 1:1 iPad program in the policy. Our hope is that this document better highlights responsible use and appropriate digital citizenship.

Here is our summary of the changes that were made to update this document. 

Purpose of This Document

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Moultonborough School District provides resources to facilitate communication, sharing and creation as part of the learning environment. The use of these resources, which include our internal network and applications as well as district-deployed cloud based learning platforms (ie: Schoology, iTunes University, Google Apps), is a privilege and not a right.  While these resources have the power to deliver a vast number of resources to classrooms and enhance education, their effectiveness depends on the responsible and ethical use by every individual. This document outlines efficient, safe, ethical and legal use of these resources.

OLD

Moultonborough School District provides resources to facilitate communication, sharing and creation. These resources include our internal network and applications as well as district-deployed cloud based learning platforms (ie: Edmodo, iTunes University, Google Apps). This document outlines efficient, safe, ethical and legal use of these resources.

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES: Revised language, added statement about responsible use and power of resources

We have changed the title from an Acceptable Use to a Responsible Use as we want our students and parents to do more than just accept this policy but we want to emphasis that we are all committed to helping our students learn and acquire ethical and healthy use of the internet. With the constant access we all have through our many devices, it is important for us all to be

New: Terms of Use       Old: Qualifying for Use

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Terms of Use

The privilege and responsibility of using our technology relies on educated and responsible users.  Inappropriate use may result in disciplinary action, which may be suspension or revocation of privileges. A current copy of this agreement signed by all system users (and a parent, if the student is under 18 years of age) must be on file.  

OLD

Qualifying for Use

The privilege and responsibility of using our technology relies on educated and responsible users.  Inappropriate use may result in disciplinary action, which may be suspension or revocation of privileges. A current copy of this agreement (signed annually), signed by all system users (and a parent, if the student is under 18 years of age) must be on file.  

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES: We removed annually as this is more procedure than policy, changed title.

Internet Access and Safety Policy

NEW:

Internet Safety Policy:

Moultonborough School District educates its students about appropriate online behavior, including cyber bullying, interacting with individuals via social networking, and usage of the online network in accordance with this policy, the Children’s Internet Protection Act, and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.

Technology Protection Measure:

The Moultonborough School District uses both Internet filtering and security software to filter and monitor materials that are obscene, unlawful, discriminatory, violent, or hateful. The District cannot warrant the effectiveness of its Internet filtering due to the dynamic nature of the Internet. The District cannot ensure or guarantee the absolute safety of students in their use of technology. Parents and students should contact the school immediately with any concerns related to the use of technology. To insure safety and promote responsible use, all users must adhere to the following code of conduct.

OLD:

Internet Safety Policy:

Moultonborough School District educates its students about appropriate online behavior, including cyber bullying, interacting with individuals via social networking, and usage of the online computer network in accordance with this policy, the Children’s Internet Protection Act, and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.

Technology Protection Measure:

The Moultonborough School District uses both Internet filtering and security software to filter and monitor materials that are profane, obscene, unlawful, discriminatory, violent, or hateful. To further insure safety and promote responsible Internet use, all users must adhere to the following code of conduct when accessing online resources.

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES: Added language about dynamic nature of internet and responsible use of our users.

Code of Conduct

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Users are expected to behave appropriately, respectfully, and agree to the following parameters and conditions:

OLD

Security within the network and resources provided by Moultonborough School District is a maximum priority. Users are expected to behave appropriately, respectfully, and agree to the following parameters and conditions:

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES: Removed first sentence. Did not seem necessary in this area.

Procedures and Proper Usage

NEW:

1. Will not eat or drink in the immediate vicinity of any technology device or network asset.
2. Must register all personal computers and devices with the Technology Department before using them.
3. Will not bypass the network security system or use proxies to access content.
4. Must notify staff about security problems, unacceptable Internet sites or inappropriate communication.
5. Will not use or share a personal hotspot/wifi connection during school hours.
6. Recognize that Network Logs vary depending on the server and are kept for no more than 45 days.
7. Are responsible for making back-up copies of their critical documents.
8. Refrain from cyberbullying, which is engaging in social cruelty by using technology to harass, or harm another.
9. Will not reveal personal information on the Internet or plan to meet people contacted through the Internet.
10. Will not access, create or participate in unlawful, obscene, discriminatory, violent, or hateful materials or activities.

OLD:

1. Will not eat or drink in the immediate vicinity of any technology device or network asset.
2. Must register all personal computers and devices with the Technology Department before using them
3. Will not set up or participate in Internet or LAN-based proxy or sharing applications.
4. Use of Wireless networks that are not approved of or setup by the Technology Department.
5. Must notify staff about security problems, unacceptable Internet sites or inappropriate communication.
6. Shall not install/upload software to district computers or store software on network servers.
7. Recognize that Network Logs vary depending on the server and are kept for no more than 45 days.
8. Are responsible for making back-up copies of their critical documents.
9. Refrain from cyberbullying, which is engaging in social cruelty by using technology to harass, or harm another.
10. Will not reveal personal information on the Internet or plan to meet people contacted through the Internet.
11. Will not access or create profane, obscene, unlawful, discriminatory, violent, or hateful materials.

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES: Remove references to outdated technology language and updated language.

Privacy

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1. No guarantee of privacy is given including files or communication.
2. Internal or external resources provided by the district are to be treated as school property.
3. Software is employed that enables remote control and monitoring of devices while in use.  
4. Parents have the right to review the contents of their student’s files and communications.
5. All users must respect the privacy of other network users and the confidentiality of passwords.
6. Users will not share their account information or leave their account open.

OLD

1. No guarantee of privacy is given including files or communication.
2. Internal or external resources provided by the district are to be treated as school property.
3. Software is employed that enables remote control and monitoring of computers while in use.  
4. Parents have the right to review the contents of their student’s files and communications.
5. All users must respect the privacy of other network users and the confidentiality of passwords.
6. Users will not share their account information or leave their account open.

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES: NONE

Copyright and Plagiarism

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1. Violation of copyright (including software, music, film and images) is considered a violation of this policy.  
2. Plagiarism is expressly forbidden. (Plagiarism is the claiming of another person’s work as your own.)
3. Proper citations will be used when citing electronic information.

OLD:

1. Violation of copyright (including software, music, film and images) is considered a violation of this policy.  
2. Plagiarism is expressly forbidden. (Plagiarism is the claiming of another person’s work as your own.)
3. Proper citations will be used when citing electronic information.

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES: NONE

OLD District Web Site

New: District & School Internet Presence

NEW:

1. Sites may display school activities and projects and may include photos, student names and work.
2. Sites are considered a public document and must comply with Federal School District Guidelines.
3. Sites shall not encourage the use of tobacco, alcohol, or controlled substances or otherwise promote any other activity prohibited by district policy, state or federal laws.

OLD:

1. Web pages display school activities and projects and may include photos, student names and work.
2. Web pages are considered a public document and must comply with Federal School District Guidelines.
3. Web pages shall not encourage the use of tobacco, alcohol, or controlled substances or otherwise promote any other activity prohibited by district policy, state or federal laws.

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES: Updated language from Web Site to Internet Presence to include various social media sites and applications

Vandalism

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1. Vandalism is defined as a malicious attempt to damage the physical devices, software, network or data.
2. Vandalism may include suspension of use and possible referral to legal authorities.
3. Individuals will be held financially responsible for damages including:

• Attempts to move, remove or damage software, hardware, or files.
• Attempts to hack into any network or computer environment.
• Physical damage to any device and/or its accessories.

OLD:

1. Vandalism is defined as a malicious attempt to damage the physical devices, software, network or data.
2. Vandalism may include suspension of use and possible referral to legal authorities.
3. Individuals will be held financially responsible for damages including:

• Attempts to move, remove or damage software, hardware, or files.
• Attempts to hack into any network or computer environment.
• Physical damage to a device while it is assigned or checked out to them.

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES: NONE

Email/Direct Communication

NEW:

1. Network users will be polite and courteous in their electronic communication.
2. District email accounts are maintained and/or archived in accordance with applicable policies.
3. Email accounts are for academic use and not to be used for illegal, immoral or for-profit ventures.

OLD:

1. Network users will be polite and courteous in their electronic communication.
2. District email accounts are maintained and/or archived in accordance with applicable policies.
3. Email accounts are for academic use and not to be used for illegal, immoral or for-profit ventures.

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES: NONE

District iPad Use (TOTALLY NEW SECTION)

To Be Issued an iPad

• Students must agree to and abide by all school rules as outlined in the Student Handbook.
• Students and parents/guardians agree that inappropriate use of the iPad may include loss of iPad use.
• Parents agree to monitor student use of the iPad while out of school.
• Parents agree to monitor student use of the iPad while out of school. A content filter cannot be guaranteed when using the iPad off school grounds.
• Students and parents/guardians acknowledge that the iPad may be inspected at any time to verify contents.
• Students leaving Moultonborough School District must return the iPad and all accessories.

Expectations of Use

• Students will use their iPad for educational pursuits. Any games must be educational in nature and will not be used unless approved by a teacher.
• Students will use the iPad appropriately per teacher direction.

• Students will use the camera appropriately and will not distribute illicit or illegal video or photographs.
• Students will use district-deployed cloud based learning platforms to share and save work. These platforms include a district Google apps domain and Schoology.

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES:  Added this section to replace the iPad Agreement that was a separate document.

Violations of the Acceptable Use Policy

NEW:

The Moultonborough School District places a high value on the appropriate and responsible use of its network and Internet resources. A violation of any of the rules outlined in this agreement will result in the following consequences:

Student Users

Depending on the type of infraction, students will be placed in the appropriate zone as determined by administration.

• Yellow Zone:
• Students have not met all expectations for school or home use.
• iPad will remain at school and can only with be used with teacher discretion.  
• Orange Zone:
• Students who have abused the privilege of having personal apps on the iPad.
• Apps will be removed from device and access to iTunes/App Store disabled.
• Red Zone:
• Student has lost all use of device and access to the network.

All infractions of the policy will be disclosed to parents in writing. Infractions of this policy may result in further disciplinary action based on the rules of the Student Code of Conduct.  Any illegal Infractions will be reported to legal authorities.  School administrators reserve the right to modify the consequences outlined above if deemed appropriate.

OLD:
The Moultonborough School District places a high value on the appropriate and responsible use of its network and Internet resources. A violation of any of the rules outlined in this agreement will result in the following consequences:

Student Users

First Infraction: removal from the computer network for 5 school days.

Second Infraction: removal from the computer network for 10 school days.

Third Infraction: removal from the computer network for 1 calendar month. (i.e.: 14th of Sept - 14th of Oct).

All infractions of the policy will be disclosed to parents in writing. Infractions of this policy may result in further disciplinary action based on the rules of the Student Code of Conduct.  Any illegal Infractions will be reported to legal authorities.  School administrators reserve the right to modify the consequences outlined above if deemed appropriate.

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES:  Added Zones to this document. Removed exact infraction regulations and time periods, this was moved to the revised Expectations of Use documents for each building as it follows more procedures. (attached). Revisions and expectations were revised after  meeting in February 2017 with school board, administrators and some teachers. The "expectations of use" was shared with students at assemblies in Spring 2017 and will be sent home with the RUP. RUP was revised and shared with administrators in spring 2017 to then be sent to policy committee

For Parents of Younger Students

NEW:

This is a legal document and must be signed by parents and students. We understand that legal language is confusing for younger students.  Please discuss responsible use with your younger children emphasizing personal safety and care of technology resources.

OLD:

This is a legal document and must be signed by parents and students. We understand that legal language is confusing for younger students.  Please discuss acceptable use with your younger children emphasizing personal safety and care of technology resources.

• SUMMARY OF CHANGES: NONE

21st century skills

We often come across mentions of 21st century skills, especially in the realm of teaching technology We are sick and tired of hearing the name "21st century skills." What does it really mean? Twenty years from now, will the skills we teach in school still be the same we are teaching today? How about in 80 years, in 2097? Same skills? If so, then great, let's keep on calling them 21st century skills. If you are like us and think that these will change, then we really ought to come up with a better name for what we're doing right now. The 21st century started 17 years ago. Almost 20% of it is already done. It's time to move away from "21st century" anything.

Imagine educators gathering in 1918 at the end of the First World War, and bemoaning our loss of competitiveness against other countries. We ought to teach 20th century skills so that they can do better and boost test scores. Now imagine these educators getting together in 1988. Same skills? Same techniques? Probably not. Same name, 20th century skills? It should be, it's still the 20th century!

Let's retire the name already. Call them skills for success, skills for life, whatever. But stop calling them 21st century skills!

Alan November Comes to Moultonborough

On Monday, February 6, 2017, the Moultonborough School District welcomed Alan November and his team for a full day of improving teaching and learning through better use of technology. A world renowned educator and leader in using educational technology in schools and businesses, November was by Lainie Rowell and Tom Driscoll. Rowell is an independent professional developer and consultant who has worked closely with educators to improve teaching and student learning through innovative ways. Driscoll is the Director of Educational Technology for the Bristol Warren Regional School District in Rhode Island and he is interested in fundamentally transforming teaching by personalizing student learning through the use of innovative applications of emerging technologies.

The day began when November, Rowell and Driscoll met with students from the Academy and from the Central School. November strongly believes that students should actively participate in every professional development event that take place in schools. Ultimately, professional development aims to improve teachers to better help students owning their own learning. Students performed Google searches for him and demonstrated that they did not know how to efficiently use a search engine.

November then presented a keynote to the staff and community of Moultonborough School District where he elaborated on the skills necessary for each student to successfully locate, engage, consume, and create information online.

The remainder of the day was broken up in three sessions: One for grades K-4, led by Rowell; one for grades 5-8, led by Driscoll; and one for grades 9-12, led by November. These sessions featured in-depth looks at apps, web pages, and software that teachers can use right away to enhance the impact of their lessons on students and by switching ownership of the learning towards the students themselves.

At the conclusion of the day, we surveyed staff and students on the presentations. Feedback was overwhelming positive. Staff found many things that were valuable about the day. Some comments include "Real life applications for our age group from a speaker who has taught at the same age level" and "being introduced to new tech tools/sites I did not know about."

One staff member summed it up when she stated that the best part about the day was "finding out how much more I want to know! Being with the whole District and learning together with highly and inspirational qualified presenters."

Where do we go from here

Our next step is determining where we go next. We were planning on working with Kim Marshall on our next professional development day on March 17th, but after witnessing the teachers' inspiration to introduce more technological resources in their classroom, we now we plan on more time exploring the technologies that was presented.

Success with our first blizzard bag

Three years ago a committee of teachers and administrators sat and planned a blizzard bag program to address weather related issues. Instead of making up a snow day at the end of the year, the thinking was that we would create worthwhile and effective online learning that could be completed from home on a day where it wasn't safe to go to school. In New Hampshire the Department of Education allows districts to apply for permission to conduct remote instruction during inclement events. Our plan was that the first snow day would remain a snow day, but then subsequent snow days might become blizzard bag days. We wouldn't have one on a Monday, since we couldn't touch base with our students ahead of time, nor would we have one after a holiday or vacation week.

For grades K-3, teachers created physical bags with folders and activities that went home. For grades 4 through 12, staff created a blizzard bag infrastructure within their courses on Schoology, and when the moment came these assignments, discussions, or other activities would be made visible so students could complete them on the day of if they had power at their home, or on the following day if they didn't have Internet or power. Staff would spend time before the day creating material. On the day of a blizzard bag they would supervise their classes and answer student questions. On the day after they would grade students' products and take attendance. Para-professionals and others in the school would be participating in professional development through discussions on Schoology.

Our plan called for students and staff to complete everything within 24 hours. We needed 80% participation from students throughout the district, and 80% participation from staff as well. It was approved by the Department of Education in 2014, and the 2014-2015 school year we had several snow days. Unfortunately, all of which were on Mondays or after a vacation. When we met that spring we decided to tweak our blizzard bag program. We kept the first snow day as a day off for staff and students, but we removed the restriction on Mondays and days after a vacation. Now we would experience a blizzard bag as soon as the second snow day struck.

But as everyone who lives in Northern New England knows, in 2015-2016 the snow did not come. We had a few delays and early releases, but spent the whole year looking at a plan that was gathering dust. For a second year in a row, we did not have a blizzard bag day.

In 2016-2017, we hoped we would finally get there. We had several close calls in December and early January, and we notified students and staff that a blizzard bag day was a possibility. But all of these ended up being 2 hour delays instead of snow days. So when the weather changed over last weekend with snow, freezing rain and rain all in the forecast from Monday night to Tuesday afternoon, we knew a blizzard bag day had arrived. We notified students on Monday, and the call was made Tuesday morning. Students and staff completed activities throughout the day.

By the time the day was done and we had tallied attendance, we achieved the following results:

• Elementary School 92% 
• High School: 84% 
• Middle Level: 87%
• Staff Attendance: 99%

So our first blizzard bag in three years was a success. We're looking forward to doing it again.

We learned many things from our first blizzard bag. When we created our plan three years ago we did not have an enrichment / recovery period. We also did not have double blocks on a rotating basis, which created some problems with taking timely attendance. Finally, our number of directed studies has increased significantly over the years, so we had to discount those numbers in our attendance calculations.. Another element we had not considered was requiring electronic submissions for students at the high school, even if that meant taking a picture of their work to upload and then submitting their actual work the following day. Overall, staff reported a great experience with their blizzard bags. We are surveying parents and students and will report our findings.

Who Owns the Learning? Preparing Students for Success in the Digital Age

On February 6, 2017, the Moultonborough School District is thrilled to welcome Alan November, an educational leader who advocates specific steps in how to transform teaching and learning by using technology. Schools have put the emphasis on adding technology in the classroom, but in the end if teachers and students have not adapted to the new realities of an environment pervasive with devices and connectivity, then they are not accomplishing their mission of delivering a quality education. November argues that it's not about technology, it's about student engagement and ownership in their learning.

In this thought-provoking book, Who Owns the Learning? Preparing Students for Success in the Digital Age, November argues that school has short-changed students under the current model. The learning belongs to students, and not to teachers, and November presents the Digital Learning Farm, a model that shifts educational control towards students, empowering them to make decisions and to guide their own learning. The Digital Learning Farm model allows students to develop and own their learning through the use of four different roles: the tutorial designer, the scribe, the researcher, and the global communicator.

In essence, the tutorial designer creates movies that explain a problem to others, be that a math question, or a how to video. These are then posted to the web so that everyone can benefit from what is being taught. The scribe records the notes and events that happen in the classroom. Every day, a different student takes notes. These notes are reviewed by the teacher and the class and are posted on a blog or wiki so they can be accessed by everyone in the class. The researcher investigates questions that arise during class by finding answers and resources online. Finally, the global communicator reaches out to other people online who can help with the topics or subjects at hand.

These four roles really tie together the transformational 6 that Alan November mentions in a recent article entitled Walk Through for Innovation: Six Questions for Transformed Learning. In this article, he states that if your lesson or assessment answers no to all of these questions, then technology has not been successfully integrated in your classroom and you are doing a disservice to your students. This book, while preceding these questions, does a great job of demonstrating how all of them can be addressed by adopting the Digital Learning Farm model. Ultimately, students must own their learning to be really successful, and educators and even students should demand access to an education model similar to what November proposes to enhance both their interest in school and their desire to better perform as students.

Thus, on February 6th, the entire staff of Moultonborough School District, as well as students will be working together to examine these six questions and take steps to begin the transformation that is necessary for our students to succeed in today's world and own their learning. In the same article, November talks about being technology rich and innovation poor. We believe ourselves to be technology rich, and innovation middle class. We do many things right, but we can always improve. This professional development day will help us get better at connecting our students to the world and making their learning even more relevant. We will start the day with a keynote by Alan November at 8:15 am. We invite members of the public to join us for this exciting keynote.